The National Police Service (NPS) is facing fierce public backlash after posting a Father’s Day tribute on its social media platforms, despite ongoing national outrage over the recent death of Albert Omondi Ojwang in police custody.
The post, featuring a silhouette of officers with their children was quickly met with anger and disbelief.
Thousands of Kenyans flooded the comments section, accusing the police of hypocrisy and insensitivity in light of the controversial circumstances surrounding Ojwang’s death.
Ojwang, a 31-year-old teacher from Homa Bay County, was arrested on June 7 for alleged “false publication” and later died under suspicious circumstances at the Central Police Station in Nairobi. His father, who witnessed him being arrested while eating with his family, has been on the media calling for justice while in tears.
His death has sparked a national debate about police accountability, human rights, and alleged extra-judicial killings.
Here are some of the responses.
“The Father’s Day post feels like a slap in the face to grieving families and victims of police brutality,”
"You can redeem yourselves by doing the right and decent thing and #ArrestEliudLagat otherwise everything you say is gaslighting us with maneno tupu. Baba Albert Ojwang is a hurt, devastated father and you must make it right for him and his family!"
"Fo real?... Yo, "murderers", your arrogance is surreal! You just KILLED a father, and made another child-less, and another young one fatherless... What are you smoking?"
"Being hypocritical involves saying one thing but doing the opposite, often displaying a lack of genuine integrity. #JusticeForAlbertOjwang"
How do you think Albert Ojwang 's father is feeling after some of you brutally murdered his only son? Shame on you Kenya Police! #ArrestEliudLagat
"Coming from you after killing two fathers, Ojwang's father is childless and Ojwang's fatherhood is cut short. Put down the uniform/facade and be the criminals you are proudly. SHAME!"
“This amounts to ridicule, insult and mockery to Albert, whose his son will grow without his father. And to Albert’s dad, you are insulting his suffering, since you left him fatherless for apparently no reason. Albert deserved to live, and his son deserved to grow under his care.”
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is currently investigating the incident.
However, the probe has already hit a snag, with crucial CCTV footage from the hours in question reportedly deleted. Police officers involved have been summoned for questioning, while Central Police Station OCS Samson Talaam and an officer Muhkwana have been arrested.
Prominent Kenyans, including former Chief Justice David Maraga, have called for mass action and a full independent inquiry into the death.
Civil society groups and human rights defenders have also demanded justice, decrying what they call a culture of impunity within the police service.
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